Oscar Piastri outpaces Lando Norris, taking the lead in FP2 at Emilia-Romagna GP.
- Lewis Hamilton struggles with Ferrari brakes, expressing frustration over team radio.
- McLaren’s dynamic duo shines, leaving Pierre Gasly and others behind.
- Max Verstappen faces challenges but keeps up the fight.
- Session ends dramatically with Isack Hadjar’s crash bringing out the red flag.
In an exciting second practice session at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri from McLaren took the spotlight. Piastri clocked the fastest lap at 1:15.293, just a hair ahead of his teammate Lando Norris by 0.025 seconds. Pierre Gasly surprised many by securing the third spot for Alpine, showing a solid performance amid strong competition.
The day wasn’t as smooth for others, particularly for Lewis Hamilton. In his first Italian race with Ferrari, Hamilton found himself grappling with brake issues. He was heard over the team radio, critiquing the brakes as he encountered challenges during his laps, including a close encounter with the gravel at Variante Alta.
While McLaren dominated the early stages, Max Verstappen of Red Bull also played an intriguing role. Despite his initial struggles with the car ‘bottoming’ out at critical turns, Verstappen managed to stay competitive. He stayed close on the heels of the frontrunners, even while dealing with unexpected cockpit discomforts.
The session wasn’t without its share of drama. Fernando Alonso had to maneuver quickly to avoid a collision at Tamburello with a slow-moving Franco Colapinto. The climax came when Isack Hadjar spun on his exit from Tamburello, hitting the tyre wall and triggering a red flag. This incident curtailed the session with only a few minutes left, preventing Hadjar from rejoining.
Amidst the high-speed action, drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell also expressed concerns over radio communication. Leclerc pointed out issues with several turn entries, while Russell momentarily took the lead during a switch to softer C6 tires. However, the McLaren duo, particularly Piastri, regained the top positions, wrapping an eventful practice session.
The Emilia-Romagna GP’s FP2 was a roller-coaster ride, leaving both drivers and fans eager for what’s next.
